Will Colin Kaepernick’s maturation make up for the loss of Michael Crabtree?

Eric Branch did an excellent breakdown of Colin Kaepernick’s reliance on Michael Crabtree last season. Now with Michael Crabtree out with a torn right Achilles, will Kaepernick be able to widen his vision and incorporate more receivers?
That will be the key question for the passing game in 2013. With Kaepernick’s quick chemistry with Anquan Boldin, Boldin should plug right in for Crabtree. However, in order for the passing game to improve, Kaepernick will need to go beyond Boldin.
Believe it or not, this is where the loss of Alex Smith might hurt. Smith was a system quarterback and in a West Coast system, that means spreading the ball around. Smith did distribute the ball more evenly than Kaepernick, because Smith reacted to what the system and the opposing defense dictated.
Kaepernick, however, is a feel player. Asked recently why he relied so heavily on Crabtree last year, Kaepernick simply said, “He got open.” When Kaepernick sees man coverage on Crabtree he’s going to him no matter what the coverage shows him.
This fact became painful in the 49ers’ final drive of last year’s Super Bowl. Kaepernick exclusively locked in on Crabtree during the last three plays, even though Delanie Walker and Vernon Davis were open in two of those three plays.
When things get tight, Kaepernick narrows his focus on a handful of receivers. In the NFC Championship Game for example, Kaepernick completed passes to only five receivers. In the Super Bowl, that number dropped to four receivers.
Widen vision is all part of the maturation process, which is likely happen to Kaepernick this season. Jim Harbaugh says it takes about two years to learn a west coast system. This will be Kaepernick’s third year.
Also, Kaepernick was clearly behind Smith during last summer’s training camp. By mid-season, Kaepernick proved he had surpassed Smith.
Kaepernick is dedicated, earnest and a unique athlete. That more than anything, will make up for the loss of Michael Crabtree.